UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HANCOCK We respect tradition — and we welcome inclusive language about people and expansive language about God. Please pray using words most meaningful to you. Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children

November 12, 2023 – Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost This service will be in-person and on Zoom at 10:00 (Recorded for Facebook and YouTube) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82224252518?pwd=aEd4WENqcjFHakFTcVFyQnltNzl1UT09 Meeting ID: 822 2425 2518 Passcode: 755650 The first pew in front of the pulpit has books and quiet activities for people of all ages. Please find something that suits you, take it to your pew, and return it after the service. Silent Prayer Wisdom, your presence illuminates our path. Shine your light into dim spaces so that we do not stray from your teaching. Help us discern what you are calling us, your church, to do and be in this moment in time. Give us urgency to be good news in the world and for our neighbors. Let your glory reign among us and your Spirit lead us into truth, justice, and love. Amen

* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit Announcements Prelude Welcome *Introit God of Grace and God of Glory (vs. 1) R. #477 God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power; now fulfill your Church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour. *Call to Worship One: God comes as the disturbing comforter, shattering the rigid preconceptions of our minds and hearts. All: Give us the grace to welcome your coming, to trust beyond where we can see, to have hope in the midst of chaos, to learn from our mistakes, to accept forgiveness and to walk steadfastly in the way of Gospel gladness. *Passing of the Peace (ASL) and lighting Peace & Justice Candle *Hymn Jesus Loves Me R. #102 Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong. Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me! This I know, as he loved so long ago, taking children on his knee, saying, “Let them come to Me.” Refrain Jesus loves me still today, walking with me on my way, wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live. Refrain: *Invocation (in unison) Bring us back to the beginning, God. Help us to hear in the scriptures the stories that open our hearts; to who Jesus was; to who Christ is; to who we are. Bring us back to the beginning, God–so that we might journey his Way. Amen Children’s Message Hebrew Scripture Psalm 70 Christian Scripture Matthew 25:1-13 Special Music Message Rev. TJ Mack *Hymn Softly and Tenderly R. #303 Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; patient and loving, he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. Refrain: Come home, come home, he who are weary, come home; earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling—calling, “O sinner, come home!” Why should we linger when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me? Why should we wait, then, and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me? Refrain O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me; though we have sinned he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me. Refrain Prayer for Transformation and New Life Wise God, we often seek counsel from so many sources while ignoring your guidance. Help us to navigate the tough choices we must make and to discern the circumstances of our world and our lives through your perspective. Your way is life and embodies care, compassion, and concern for all creation. May we follow your model for the flourishing of our human siblings and our home, the Earth. Amen

Words of Grace Beloved, God gives good instruction and the grace to begin anew. You are empowered by God to choose the path of life everlasting and nudged by God when your journey strays. Know that every movement toward God is received with gladness and the full and welcoming embrace of the Holy One. Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns Our Father (Creator, Mother) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen Lead me Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou Lord, thou Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety. Invitation to Offering – B. #844 All good gifts around us come from you, O God. As you have given us gifts, so we offer our gifts, that we may be gifts to one another, as Jesus so taught and lived. Offertory *The Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen *Prayer of Dedication (spoken in unison) B. #845 O God, most merciful and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received: accept, we pray, this offering of your people. Amen *Hymn My Life Flows On in Endless Song (vs. 1 & 2) R. 427 My life flows on in endless song; above earth's lamentation, I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing? Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing. It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since Love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing? *Benediction *Sung Blessing Go With Us, Lord R #336 Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day, That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you. Postlude (Please remain seated for the Postlude) If you are visiting with us today, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the sanctuary. The Union Congregational Church of Hancock, United Church of Christ will conduct its 2023 Annual Church Meeting on November 12th, 2023, immediately following the 10:00 AM Worship Service for the following purposes: 1. To Elect Church Officers, Board and Committee members; 2. To receive Board and Committee Reports; 3. To vote on the Proposed 2024 Church Budget 4. And to hear any other business to come before the congregation. Jeanne Edwards, Clerk October 22, 2023 Please join us for viewing the documentary Dawnland at Mike and Pat Summerer’s house. Dawnland is the previously untold story of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation’s first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission, which investigated the devastating impact on Maine’s child welfare practices on the Wabanaki people. The film explores the possibilities of truth and reconciliation. Thursday, Nov. 16th at 3:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Pat at 963-7182. Support our Church Financially Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our new webpage www.hancockucc.com or visit this link to our PayPal account: paypal.me/hancockucc or mail offerings to: Union Congregational Church, PO Box 443, Hancock, ME 04640 (Attention: Treasurer) Contact Us hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@gmail.com 207.422.3100 207.323.6743 Many thanks to those who make this service possible – in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Music Minister – Debbie Riley Guest Musicians – Cynthia Priem & Pat Summerer Deacons – Mary Angela Davis & Doug Kimmel Liturgist – Audio-Video Support – Ron Schwizer Office Secretary – Vicky Espling Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack The Body of Christ – You Resources, adapted Silent Prayer, Prayer for Transformation & New Life are from Worship Ways @ ucc.org Call to Worship and Invocation from Gifts in Open Hands, Tirabassi & Eddy, p. 4 & 7 Clip Art from textweek.com "Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.

God of Grace and God of Glory

Words and Music - ©PD Public Domain

Contributors: Public Domain

Jesus Loves Me

William Bradbury, Words and Music - © OCP

Softly and Tenderly

Words and Music, Will L. Thompson, 1880.

Public Domain

My Life Flows On in Endless Song

Robert Lowry, Jean Anne Shafferman

Words and Music - ©2019 Jubilate Music

Go with Us, Lord

Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company

Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey